J. Griffiths, Reading-independent garage? - Anyone had exper

[G4VSQ]

Hello all,,
I am seriously considering using J. Griffiths of Hemdean Road, Caversham, Reading for servicing my 260E (1988, 148, 000 miles).

They are an independent MB garage, established for quite a few years. Website at:
http://www.jgriffiths.co.uk

They have quoted £350 for a major service. Although I would like to use Mr. Gayle, and he is somewhat cheaper, this garage is only 10 minutes from home. Added to this,  I need to get my 260E into reasonable shape for a family holiday, and the oil is black...

Has anyone used this garage or does anyone have any knowledge of it? My initial impression was that they knew what they were doing but were rather less than friendly! I don't care about that so much, just that they will do a good job. There was a "V" reg "classic" MB on the ramp, in process of being dismantled, which may be a good sign! The servicing is carried out by Mr. Griffiths himself with a helper. He was quite pleasant, the less friendly one was the person in the office. They also have some interesting cars for sale.

Thanks for looking,
Al
MBOA Member number 31744!

 

[cfleck]

J. Griffiths, Reading-independent garage?

I've used these guys before and they seem to know what they are doing - I took my car in to get them to have a look at a steering problem.

A guy I work with has also had a main service done through them just a few weeks ago, and he was very pleased with the outcome. Also when my car was in, someone brought in a '51' reg CLK for a service...

If you want to see less than friendly, just try rivervale mercedes in Reading - Customer service is not something they know much about.

cheers.

 

[Baldguy]

J. Griffiths, Reading-independent garage?

I echo the Rivervale comment, I took my C240 Sport in there to get it checked out on the computer as it was running rough, the customer service guy looked at me as if I had just said I'd slept with his wife!!!
Threw my keys back at me and all he said was "Nothing wrong".....
Ignorant twat!!

 

[Malcolm Brown]

J. Griffiths, Reading-independent garage?

But had you, though?

 

[G4VSQ]

J. Griffiths, Reading-independent garage?

Thanks for all your comments.

I have also discovered there is another independent near me called "Star Motor Services" in Caversham. I haven't checked them out yet, but anything gratefully received.

My own experience with Rivervale was OK-so far. I sincerely hope you complained about the way you were treated. Unless we do this, this appalling behaviour will continue (wife or no wife!).

Cheers,
Al

 

[G4VSQ]

J. Griffiths, Reading-independent garage?

Well, Griffiths have just done a 36, 000 mile major service on my clapped out 1988 260E.

£565 later, I have a slightly happier car. Items replaced include the steering damper, air filter, outer anti-roll bar bushes, oil, oil filter, auto fluid, auto fluid filter, axle oil and a seal there (?). But they didn't change the coolant, brake fluid or the plugs-I will query this.

There is still plenty to be done to the car-diff bushes, rear discs and pads, engine mounts, and both front springs, as one of them is broken at the bottom. I will probably ask them to replace the valve stem oil seals as well, in case this may help with the excessive engine breathing (see my other posts about this tragedy!) but I think it's going to be a top end overhaul in the end to cure this, or a new engine, although it's running quite nicely now and will pull 125 MPH easily (on the autobahnen, officer!).

Griffiths seemed knowledgable enough, fairly expensive but this IS "Silicon Valley mark 2", but customer care seemed a bit lacking, almost as if I was a bit of a nuisance with my old car. I will probably use them for now, simply because they are convenient. More on them as I have the other wok done-16th July.  

 

[Andy]

J. Griffiths, Reading-independent garage?

Hi G4VSQ,

The seal on the gear box would be the g\box sump pan seal. The plugs should of been chaged on this service. The coolant is extra to the service and the brake fluid. The rest of the report seems standard enough. I would get the spring sorted sooner rather than later as if you go over a big pot hole it is conceivable that the spring can dislodge and come out. Very nasty.

With regards to the engine does the air filter  get covered with oil. If not I doubt its the pistons. More likely to be the cyl head needs valve seals or guides. To be on the safe side I would have a cylinder leakage test (not compression test) carried out. That way you know exactly the state of the engine.

Regards

Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com

 

[mjtray]

John Griffiths

Hi,

Just a quick vote of confidence for John Griffiths....have used them a number of times and have been very pleased with the results.

Whilst they come across as being a bit frosty, once you get to know them they are a fine bunch who love the older cars......you just have to keep working on them!

They have recently cured a problem on my recently acquired E280 which the previous owner had tried to resolve for 2 years with a main dealer....I put this down to the guys at John Griffiths really understanding the older cars.

In terms of Rivervale in Reading or should I now say Greenoaks of Reading......what a bunch of idiots. Now here's a garage that know's nothing about customer service.

If you have a newer Merc, take it to Tony Purslow's in Basingstoke or get them to come to you and collect the car at no extra charge.....fantastic service and cheaper than Greenoaks and other local Merc franchises, which perhaps goes to explain why they have won dealer of the year for two consecutive years and why so many people in Reading trundle all the way over to Basingstoke to get their cars serviced.

Cheers

 

[Kinky]

HEAR HEAR.

I wholeheartedly second mjtray's comments re: Tony Purslow's in Basingstoke.

I had my 93 E280 serviced there a few weeks ago - at a cost of £350 (major 'B' Service) - and a load of extra work I wanted doing.

40% discount on labour for being over 8 years old and 15% discount on parts ... no brainer (imho).

I've been raving about them ever since. and ironically, a 'customer service' card thru from them the other day, asking my opions on the service. Naturally - it's all 5/5 (and some).

See my full review at http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1620

K